Bioethanol is considered as one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels as unwanted biomass is converted into fuel ethanol. As there is increasing demand for fuel ethanol, researchers have started looking for some better ways to produce ethanol. In light of the present scenario, we have attempted to develop a global patent landscape view of xylose utilization in ethanol production. Our country‐specific patent analysis has revealed that most of the research on xylose‐utilizing ethanol production is carried out in the USA followed by China and Sweden. Moreover, it has been found that more patent applications/grants have been claimed for processes, followed by recombinant strains. Patent publication trends for genes and enzymes have shown that most of the research is focused on the xylA gene and xylulokinase. Assignee patenting trends suggest that Du Pont is the major player in xylose‐utilizing ethanol production research. Additionally, analysis based on micro‐organisms used in xylose‐utilizing ethanol production revealed that most of the research has been performed using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to enhance the ethanol yields. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd